10 Things Interior Decorators Don’t Want You To Know

There are so many things to consider before hiring an interior decorator—plus there are some hidden truths that you should know first. Image Source: Tobi Fairley

The inspiration strikes—you simply cannot live for one more second with that old, sagging sofa or those tattered, sun-faded drapes or the paint-chipped kitchen cabinets—it’s time to redecorate!

The potential that comes with a home redecoration project can be exciting, but also difficult when it comes to logistics.

While some homeowners have inspired ideas when it comes to design, they might not have the means or skills to put it all together and make it happen. This is where the professionals come into play—This is when it’s time to hire an interior decorator.

Interior decorators are essential when you have so many good ideas, but you don’t know how to narrow them down, or on the other side of the coin—you want a home makeover but don’t know exactly where to begin.

Interior decorators can be a great resource when it comes to taking ideas and putting them into motion in your home. However, interior design is also a business and there are definitely some tricks to the trade.

Here are 10 things we thought you should know before opening your door to the professionals:

There are a lot of tricks of the trade that maybe interior designers would rather keep secret. Image Source: Kohler

1) Professionals Have Connections

Interior design is a business, albeit a creative one, but still a business at its core. When hiring an interior designer you must consider it just like you would any other business deal. This means that interviewing potential candidates is a must.

Since networking is a big part of any business success, you will want to hire an interior designer who has a long history in the trade; therefore, has lots of connections. A well-connected designer has great resources when it comes to discounts which they can pass onto you. An interior designer that is new to the market may try and exaggerate their connections because they don’t want you to know that they lack a history in the business.

Make sure you ask who your interior designer knows for specific products such as flooring or countertops. These features are pricey, but could be reduced with the right connections.

Aside from discounts, interior designers have connections that can provide you with the right ideas. For instance, if you are looking to create an immaculate staircase in your home, a well-connected interior designer might know just the person you are looking for.

When hiring an interior decorator, you must consider it like any other business deal. Image Source: Epic Development

2) Discuss Budget First

While it would be nice to think that your interior designer has your budget savings in mind—this usually isn’t the case. Unless you clearly discuss your monetary limits at the start, your designer is going to choose the best features in quality and structure. The finished job reflects upon them, so of course they want it to look lavish and top-of-the-line.

This has the potential to boost your bill beyond your budget, and unless you’re looking to break the bank, be sure to discuss budget limits and how far you’re willing to go.

If you have hired the right designer, they will give you some ideas on what changes to your design plan need to be made to help you stay within that budget.

3) Don’t Bypass Your Preferences

Your interior designer is a professional, but also a person with preferences. If you leave the options too wide open, you might soon realize that what your interior designer loves is what your home becomes. This is also the sign of a poorly qualified designer—their main job is to design for you not for themselves. Interior designers don’t want to design rooms that they think are ugly; rooms that do not adhere to their tastes, but that is simply part of their job.

Be sure to have a discussion about what you love before your interior décor becomes a testament to your designer’s interests and hobbies. Show the designer pictures of rooms you love, colors that call to you, and fabrics you admire.

It is important to clearly state your wants and needs, and ensure that it is your vision that comes to life in the finished product.

If you leave the options too wide open, you might soon realize that what your interior designer loves is what your home becomes. Image Source: C and C Partners

4) The Best For Less?

Just because they claim to be the best doesn’t mean you can’t find someone just as talented for less. Interior design students will often take on projects for school credit and could offer up quality services for half the cost. But remember, they are just starting out, so they will not have the connections that an established professional does.

Ask around for referral from friends who have hired interior designers. Be sure to check out each designer’s portfolio to ensure that their ideas meet your expectations.

Take your time in hiring a decorator. Although the saying goes ‘you get what you pay for’ you deserve to find an interior designer who can give you what you want and within your budget.

Interior design students will often take on projects for school credit and could offer up quality services for half the cost. Image Source: Emerick-Architects

5) It’s OK To Say No

While it might not be easy to say you don’t like something they’ve done, your interior designer won’t be offended if you dismiss an idea.

You’re paying them for a project you love and it’s their job to deliver. If they add an element you dislike, say it and confidently move along. While the interior designer may not agree with your design choice, the final decision is not up to them.

Remember, the project is your home, not theirs, so it is ultimately your decision as to what design elements stay and which ones go.

The ultimate decision when it comes to your interior decor is yours. Image Source: CGA Partners

6) It’s Not All or Nothing

While it might seem like you’re locked in with an interior designer for an entire project, it is possible to pay for only a portion.

If you’re looking for someone to consult on countertops in your kitchen, it’s not necessary to hire them on for the entire room makeover. Don’t be fooled into thinking you can’t pick and choose when it comes to professional design.

The project is yours and has the ability to be completed in the manner of your choosing. Just be sure to get everything put in the contract prior to signing the agreement.

While most people feel pressured to hire a decorator for a large project, don’t forget that they can work smaller projects, too. Image Source: MH Kap

7) Your Home Might Not Be Their Priority

Interior designers might tell you that your project is a top priority, but chances are they are very busy and you’re on a long list of clients— some clients being more prestigious than you; therefore, getting more attention and time.

For this reason, be sure to create clear lines of communication. On days they’re off the radar with other homes, you’ll want to know how to get a hold of them.

In addition, you want to make sure that even though you are not their only client, that they do make you an important client. Checking references can help ensure your are a top priority.

Just like you might not be fond of all of their ideas, your interior designer might not be in love with yours. Image Source: Own By Design

10) The Budget Can Be Tweaked

Interior designers want the best for your home and that doesn’t always go well with a tight budget. The good news is that budgets can be tweaked while still achieving an amazing outcome.

For example, if your designer suggests new curtains, take a minute to look at options for curtains that might save. If your designer suggests floor-to-ceiling drapes in a luxury fabric that beats your budget, then consider less expensive roman shades in the same pricey fabric; thereby, saving your budget from being blown on yards of fabric.

This same concept can be applied to other areas of your home, such as kitchen cabinets. Custom cabinets will create a one-of-a-kind look, but they are also far more expensive than stock cabinets that can become unique by changing out the door fronts.

Be sure to discuss budget with your decorator— it can be tough to stick within budget and you will want to hire a decorator who understands the boundaries. Image Source: Space Crafting

Understanding these tricks of the trade will keep your relationship with your interior designer friendly and smooth.

If your professional relationship is on track and you understand how the business works, you should be pleasantly surprised with the final outcome and possibly under budget!

While interior designers are skilled professionals, we must always remember that it is a business and should be treated as such. So, set your emotions aside and make a business deal with your designer —a deal that makes everyone happy and creates a lasting home design that you will love for years to come.

Are you considering hiring a decorator? If so, what questions would you ask?

@ point 3 & 9:Interior designers specialize in various design types, they have their “signature style”. During the process of hiring an interior designer you need to find that out (either ask them or look at their portfolio at the website). If a designer is famous for ultra modern glossy penthouses and apartments, asking them to create a mix & match old & new kitsch style village cottage is not going to work.The cooperation is like a marriage: yes, it’s your home and your taste is important but if you disagree with the interior designer all the time, at the end they won’t be able to sign this project with their name on it. For them it is important to deliver end result which is pleasing both parties because they sign it off with their name! So if a customer doesn’t listen at all and changes all the time and has overall a different taste then interior designer will walk out on that job. They pick customers too, just as customers pick them. Unless it’s mutually working, both parties end up with frustration.Your home is their work of art. Would Picasso signed off with his name on your 3 year old art work?

DDFdesign

The heading of this article refers to Interior Decorators and then in the article it flip flops between the term Interior Decorator and Interior Designer interchangeably which makes it look as if they are the same thing. It might be helpful if the article actually explained the difference between the two at the beginning of the article instead of only as a link which many people probably miss. This would give people an understanding of the two professions and enable them to pick the appropriate one to match the work they are looking to do.

And yes, of course both professions are a business. What do people think it is – a hobby? For some people perhaps, but not for all the professional, qualified Interior Designers who have spent years getting degrees and continue with their education while working in order to keep up on changes, trends and building code. (As an Interior Designer I am not aware of what is necessary to become a qualified Interior Decorator so cannot comment on that)

In Canada there is the Interior Designers of Canada website where people can learn more about what Interior Designers do –http://www.idcanada.org/english/ – under the tab For The Public. Other countries would have similar organizations that are easy to find as do Interior Decorating organizations. To be knowledgeable is to be prepared and protect yourself from hiring someone who does not have the correct qualifications. It’s your money.

Comments re points:

3. 5. & 9. All basically the same message. As an Interior Designer, if I just churn out what I love I’d be not only a incredibly bad Interior Designer, I’d be bored to death! What’s the point? But also keep in mind it’s sometimes a good idea when an Interior Designer or Interior Decorator sways a client form making a big and often expensive mistake. Working WITH clients to create their environment is team work – we work together to create a successful outcome.

4. Not only does a student not have the connections – they do not have the experience so you take your chances. It’s a huge responsibility to be spending someone else’s money and ensuring that they love the end result –money spent wisely, a room or house that functions well and looks the way they want it to.

7. For a good, professional Interior Designer and Interior Decorator every client is important – they are your reputation.

8. All new is certainly not a big payoff for many Interior Designers who pass on their discounts. It is our time and experience that has value to both the client and us.

Claudia Juestel

Although most is good advice you may want to refrain from claiming that you can find “someone just as talented for less” in general. You won’t get the quality of Hermes from a Payless bag, nor will you get the same kinds of skills from a designer starting out compared to someone who has done countless projects, nor will you get the comfort and longevity of a hand-tied, down-filled custom sofa from an Ikea version. Although fees range as much as they do for attorneys or plastic surgeons, a skilled interior designer will charge a minimum rate for any specific local. If you pay less than that you will get less.

You also want to be careful about recommending hiring students for design work that requires a professional. It takes years of experience to design spaces properly, and it may be way over the head of even the smartest student to do more than simple decorating, and even that takes experience to use the most well-priced, practical and quality sources and create a workable space plan. Home owners could spend more than the money saved on fixing potential problems when hiring someone without experience, or not get the results they expected. Also, students won’t have a resale license and won’t have access to a majority of products, they don’t have experience with purchasing and expediting, nor do they carry any kind of insurance when something goes wrong.

You would not want to hire a medical student to do surgery on you, would you?

Cheers,

Claudia

Allaiyah Weyn

You should see the look on an interior decorator’s face when you tell him that you hate Contemporary design, hate neutral colors, hate hardwood floors, hate subway tile, like rounded windows & archways, & want the place done from top to bottom in Postmodern.

kristintopping

Such a lovely interior decoration with exquisite flooring design that not only enhance the look value of your house but also increase its resale value.The flooring in a home is a major component that buyers will certainly notice.Thanks to those architects who have done this good project.Keep it up with those good designs.

Rachel

Well, I’m stumped. As an interior designer, these are all things I WANT my clients to know!

keffek

Although this article hit the nail on the head in terms of things I wish my clients knew, I hate that the article used “designer” and “decorator” interchangeably without explanation of how the two differ.

I agree… However, saying it’s 10 things we don’t want clients to know is more enticing than 10 things we do want clients to know. 😉

oXmelmelXo

Good info for sure but I’m still pretty confused by this article. These are not industry “secrets” and designers and decorators are very different professions….questioning this websites credibility. You wouldn’t call a dental hygienist a dentist would you? Big difference between certificate and bachelors degree. Especially in cost to the client. Designers would be far more expensive